Airport to get new weather system

$120,000 AWOS III system to be operational this winter to collect data

Taking off The Pemberton Regional Airport gets a new weather system for the winter season, with private and public funding.

Private companies and local government are pitching in with funding for a new $120,000 weather system at the Pemberton Airport.

Both Whistler Blackcomb and Tourism Whistler came to the table with $15,000 each for the Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS III), which gives accurate and real-time weather information.

"The Pemberton Regional Airport is an incredible asset," said Stuart Rempel, senior vice president of marketing and sales at Whistler Blackcomb.

"Whistler Blackcomb is committed to helping the Pemberton Airport realize its full potential."

Tourism Whistler did not return messages from the Pique by press time.

The Village of Pemberton, Blackcomb Aviation and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure each brought $30,000.

"This investment in our airport's infrastructure will help support current services and build on the assets in a way that will create opportunities for the future," said Pemberton Mayor Jordan Sturdy.

The AWOS III has weather sensors that can measure, collect and disseminate data to help pilots and flight dispatchers prepare and monitor forecasts, plan flight routes and provide information for take-offs and landings.

It was identified in the Airport Land Use Plan to help determine the airport's winter use and its capacity to act as a winter port that would serve the region.

"The Village's vision for the Pemberton Regional Airport is progressive and exciting," said Sacha McLean, CEO of Blackcomb Aviation. "The AWOS III system is the next step in further establishing the Pemberton Airport as a regional amenity of benefit to the entire Sea to Sky community."